Nancy Yen
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Biography
When it comes to female fighters, she has really tried to make a name for herself. Coming from the Jimmy Wang-Yu school of fighting, most of her movies seem choppy and sliced together at best. Not in the same league as say, Polly Shang-Kuan, but she can be quite entertaining when she gets those fists and feet moving. She started making films, back in the early 70's, which gave her a good insight of the world of films and film-making. She was one of the premiere female fighters of her generation.
I liked her in Ma Su-Chen: Rebel Boxer, where she displayed a type of ferociousness that [usually] someone with more skill would have. More of an actress than a fighting-machine and I think she knew that, but unfortunately, I don't think the people who directed her in most of her movies, knew that. They would surround her with talent that they knew she couldn't really beat and hoped for the best. I [truly] believe that they thought they had a new woman fighter on their hands, but the better fighters in her films, constantly overshadowed her.
She did some very good work in the obscure Chaochow Guy, along side Tien Peng and she did decent work in Shaw Bros' obscure film, Dragon Missile. She joined the studio, at a time when its' reigning female fighter Shih Szu, began concentrating on Dramatic Acting roles. Yet, it became harder for her, to make the transition to dramatic actress (herself), because of her association with kung-fu films. This would (also) happened to Lung Chun-Erh -- as no one took them seriously, unless they were Punching & Kicking (or already a big name).
In a lot of her films, she was basically, "Window Dressing" - Black Panther, Triangular Duel, and The 7 Grandmasters - quickly come to mind. That would quickly change when she appeared in the film, Deadly Angels (for Shaw Brothers). Here, she saw some of the most action she'd seen at the studio. The film was an Asian version of the [then] famous Charlie's Angels, in America. I like her portrayal of the "One-Armed Princess" in the film, Emperor Of Shaolin Kung Fu. In this film, she seemed like
*** Yen Nan-hsi Biography: Nancy Yen was born in 1949 in Jiangsu, but grew up in Taiwan. In 1966 she joined the Union Film Company as a basic actress using the stage name Yian Jue-jue and acted in Lovers’ Tears. In 1971 she left the company and joined Joseph Kuo’s Hong Hua Film Co, changing her name to Yen Nan-hsi. She starred in Triangular Duel in the role of a heroine. In 1974 she joined Shaw Brothers as a basic actress and until 1976 had starred in such movies as The Dragon Missile. In 1978 she returned to the Hong Hua Film Co. in Taiwan, and subsequently worked as a freelance actress. She retired in 1982.
Filmography: Filmography (with year of production / theatrical release) Actress Lover's Tears (1969) Triangular Duel (1972) Black Panther (1973) Return Of The Panther (1973) The File Of Heroes (1974) Dragon And Tiger (1974) The Love Competition (1976) The Dragon Missile (1976)* Deadly Angels (1977)* Clans Of Intrigue (1976)* Death Duel (1977)* Flying Guillotine 2 (1977)* Born Invincible (1978) Everlasting Chivalry (1980) Jade Dagger Ninja (1981) (* Available from Celestial Pictures)
Filmography: Filmography (with year of production / theatrical release) Actress Lover's Tears (1969) Triangular Duel (1972) Black Panther (1973) Return Of The Panther (1973) The File Of Heroes (1974) Dragon And Tiger (1974) The Love Competition (1976) The Dragon Missile (1976)* Deadly Angels (1977)* Clans Of Intrigue (1976)* Death Duel (1977)* Flying Guillotine 2 (1977)* Born Invincible (1978) Everlasting Chivalry (1980) Jade Dagger Ninja (1981) (* Available from Celestial Pictures)